Half to william ii



T. J. HUBBELL.

Patented Dec. 3, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. HUB'BELL, OF SANTA OLARA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- I'IALF TO VVILLIAMH. VVOLFE, OF SAME PLAOE.

UNIVERSAL LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forniing` part of Letters Patent No. 416,622, dated December 3, 1889.

Application fiiea August 24, 1889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. IIUBBELL, of Santa Clara, Santa Clara county, State of California, have invented au Irnprovemeut in Universal Ladders; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same. p

My invention relates to a device which vI term a universal laddcr; and it consists in the combination of side bars with transverse steps hinged and joint-ed together at various points, so as to permit a considerable adjustment of the parts with relation to each other for various purposes, as hereinafter set fort-h and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 is a View of my ladder, showing the parts in position suitablefor fruitpicking or other similar purposes. Fig. 2 shows the parts in position 'to form the ladder and a scaffold or platform.

A A are two ladders, which may be made of any suitable length, having cross-bars or steps B, as shown. At one end these ladders are provided with stout iron straps O, which are firmly secured to them, and, extending beyond the side bars of the ladder, they are bent so as to meet each other, and, holes being made through these straps, they are united by the bolt D. Upon this bolt is also fitted a short section consisting of side barsE and the transverse bars or steps F, and to the opposite end of this short section is pivoted another ladder consisting of side bars G and transverse bars I-I. The bolt I, which unites this section With the short section above described, passes approximately through the center of the sides G, and this latter section is allowed to swivel or turn upon its bolt I, while the short section may also turn uponthe bolt which unites it with the upper end of the ladder. This enables me to place the ladder with the two main sections united at the top and 4with the foot or lower ends properly separated, the short section extending approximately horizontally from the top of the ladder. The section G H, which is conneoted to it by a bolt I, will stand with its lower end upon either of' the steps B of one Serial No. 321,892. (No model.)

of the main side ladders and its upper end projecting to a considerable distance above and to one side of the main ladders. It will be manifest that this section G H may be caused to rest upon either of the steps of the main ladder which is most convenient, and at the same time to one side thereof, the base formed by the two main ladders being sufficient to prevent its overturning. This arrangement makes the device extremely usefnl for fruit-picking, as the extension G H will enable the picker to reach the limbs of the trees at a considerable distance to one side of the main ladder, and when this side of the tree has been stripped, by simply turning the short section over upon the opposite side and reversing the section G H, so that the opposite end will rest upon the steps of the ladder upon the other side, an equal distance may be reached on that side of the main ladder without moving it from its first position.

Across the base of the main ladders A B extends a section consisting of side bars K and transverse steps L. One end of this section is attached to the base of one of the Sections A B by a rod M, which passes through the two Sections, and this rod serves as an axle for the Wheels or rollers N, upon Wwhich theladder may be easily trundled from one place to another. The opposite end of the section K L is attached to the base of the ladder A upon that side by pins'O, the ends of' the section K L proj ecting sufficiently beyond the foot of the section A B to allow them to be used for handles by which to wheel the ladder about.

Then it is desired to employ the apparatus as a stage or platform, as for Work upon the ceiling or walls of a room, the pins O are withdrawn, so as to allow the section K L to bc separated from the foot of one of the lad- Iders A B. The two ladders AB are at the same time spread apart until they extend nearly 4at right angles with each other and the sec- 'the two, While the ,short section E F and the swiveled section G H extend out from one side of this frame-work, enabling' the operv tor to cliinb to points not otherwise Within reach. The portion A B, which is in a horizontal position, and the short. extension which unites it With a swiveiing section G H, forms a platform either with or without the use of coVering-planks, and may be of suffic-ient height so tha-t the operator can eztsily reach the ceiling or Walls and upper portion of a room.

In order to hold the device in the position shown in Fig. 2,1hwe shown the latoh-braces R, one end of which is pivoted or fuicruined to one of the sections and the other end having aJ hook-shaped notch, so that 'it may slide through a loop or staple S on the side of the horizontal section and engage with a pin, thus holding the looking' device firinly in position, as shown in Fig. 2. By releasing theselatches the device may be turned to the position shown in Fig. l or foided up for transportation.

Having' thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

tion and having its opposite ends adapted to rest alternately upon the steps of the main Sections A B, substa-ntially as described.

3. A ladder coinposed of sections A B K L, a swiveied section G H, and the short unitingsection connecting' it with the meeting'rends of the Sections A B, substantially as de- Scribed.

In Witness Whereof I have herennto set my hand.

THOMAS J. I'IUBBELL.

"itn esses:

S. H. NoURsn, H. O. LEE. 

